Exodus 14:12 - Regret leaving Egypt?

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Hebrew Text

הֲלֹא־זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְנוּ אֵלֶיךָ בְמִצְרַיִם לֵאמֹר חֲדַל מִמֶּנּוּ וְנַעַבְדָה אֶת־מִצְרָיִם כִּי טוֹב לָנוּ עֲבֹד אֶת־מִצְרַיִם מִמֻּתֵנוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר׃

English Translation

Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Miżrayim, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve Miżrayim? For it had been better for us to serve Miżrayim, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Transliteration

Halo-ze hadavar asher dibarnu eleicha bemitzrayim lemor chadal mimenu vena'avda et-mitzrayim ki tov lanu avod et-mitzrayim mimutenu bamidbar.

Hebrew Leining Text

הֲלֹא־זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבַּ֨רְנוּ אֵלֶ֤יךָ בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר חֲדַ֥ל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ וְנַֽעַבְדָ֣ה אֶת־מִצְרָ֑יִם כִּ֣י ט֥וֹב לָ֙נוּ֙ עֲבֹ֣ד אֶת־מִצְרַ֔יִם מִמֻּתֵ֖נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 14:12) is spoken by Bnei Yisrael to Moshe Rabbeinu at the shores of the Yam Suf, when they saw Pharaoh's army approaching. Filled with fear, they express regret for having left Mitzrayim, claiming it would have been better to remain enslaved than to die in the wilderness.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "הֲלֹא־זֶה הַדָּבָר" ("Is not this the word") reflects their accusation that Moshe had deceived them. They claim they had warned him in Mitzrayim that leaving would lead to disaster. Rashi notes their lack of faith, as they preferred the known suffering of slavery over the uncertainty of trusting in Hashem's redemption.

Rambam on Human Nature

Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 2:1) discusses how people naturally resist change, even when it is for their benefit. Bnei Yisrael's complaint exemplifies this tendency—they were so accustomed to slavery that freedom seemed terrifying. Rambam teaches that overcoming such fears requires spiritual and intellectual growth.

Midrashic Insights

Midrash Tanchuma (Beshalach 10) compares Bnei Yisrael to a child rescued from a filthy pit who complains about being dirty, not realizing the greater danger they were saved from. Similarly, they failed to appreciate their miraculous deliverance from Mitzrayim.
Mechilta (Beshalach) highlights the irony of their words: they claimed serving Mitzrayim was "טוֹב" (good), yet in reality, their suffering was severe. This reflects how oppression can distort one's perception of reality.

Spiritual Lesson

The Sforno teaches that this episode demonstrates the danger of short-sightedness. Bnei Yisrael focused on immediate physical safety rather than the eternal spiritual purpose of Yetziat Mitzrayim. Their words reveal a lack of bitachon (trust in Hashem), a recurring challenge in the wilderness.

Chassidic Perspective

The Kedushas Levi (R' Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev) interprets their complaint as a manifestation of the yetzer hara (evil inclination), which seeks to convince a person that servitude to materialism ("serving Mitzrayim") is preferable to the struggles of spiritual growth ("the wilderness"). True freedom requires overcoming this mindset.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 14:12 mean?
A: In Exodus 14:12, the Israelites express fear and regret after leaving Egypt when they see Pharaoh's army approaching. They complain to Moshe (Moses), saying it would have been better to remain slaves in Egypt than to die in the wilderness. Rashi explains that this reflects their lack of faith in Hashem's promise to redeem them, despite witnessing the miracles in Egypt.

Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse is important because it highlights the recurring theme of the Israelites struggling with faith during difficult moments. The Midrash teaches that this complaint was one of ten tests where the Jewish people doubted Hashem during the Exodus. It serves as a lesson about maintaining trust in Hashem even in challenging times.

Q: What can we learn from Exodus 14:12 today?
A: We learn that fear and uncertainty can lead people to prefer familiar hardships over the unknown, even when redemption is near. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that true faith requires trusting in Hashem's plan, even when the path forward seems difficult. This verse reminds us to strengthen our bitachon (trust in Hashem) during trials.

Q: How did Moshe respond to the Israelites' complaint in this verse?
A: Moshe responds in the next verse (Exodus 14:13-14) by telling the people not to fear and to witness Hashem's salvation. According to the Talmud (Sotah 37a), this moment demonstrated Moshe's leadership in redirecting their focus to faith rather than despair.

Q: Why did the Israelites say it was better to serve Egypt than die in the wilderness?
A: The Or HaChaim explains that the Israelites panicked because they felt trapped between the Egyptian army and the sea. Their statement reflects human nature to prefer known suffering over potential danger. However, the Torah shows that Hashem's plan was greater—leading to the miraculous splitting of the sea and their ultimate redemption.